Local EU Statement on the increasing misuse of criminal defamation laws in Thailand

Local EU Statement on the increasing misuse
of criminal defamation laws in Thailand

The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in
agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Thailand
Bangkok, 14 November 2014

The EU is committed to promoting and
protecting the freedom of opinion and expression worldwide.

The EU
Delegation wishes to express its concern over the increasing misuse of
criminal defamation laws in Thailand. The EU believes that defamation
laws should not be misused to censor criticism and debate concerning
public issues as this constitutes a serious threat to Freedom of
Expression.

Recent cases brought against Human Rights Defender Andy
Hall, journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian from the
“Phuketwan” newspaper, and the freelance journalist Andrew Drummond,
have served to demonstrate how criminal defamation laws are
vexatiously used to silence freedom of expression and investigative
journalism in the country.

The EU would like to appeal to State
authorities to fully abide by their international obligations.

As part
of wider reform in Thailand, we urge the National Reform Council to
address this issue, so that criminal defamation laws cannot in the
future be used as a means of silencing legitimate analysis or debate.

Photo Gallery 2012 to 2017

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Bangkok South Criminal Court Conviction Appeals Ruling

Appeal Verdict to be IssuedMay 31st, 2018

Bangkok South Criminal Court will read the adjourned ruling of the Appeals Court on the appeal of Andy Hall and Natural Fruit against Andy Hall’s conviction and sentencing in a criminal defamation and computer crimes case filed against Hall by Natural Fruit Company Ltd. executives in response to the publication of the Finnwatch report in 2013. An arrest warrant has been issued for Hall to attend the verdict after he failed to attend the Court on the previous appointed verdict date on 24th April 2018

DONATE NOW TO:

Andy Hall has set up a YouCaring crowdfunding site to receive donations to fund his professional team of lawyers (and support other related case costs) to defend himself in the ongoing and unrelenting judicial harassment being waged against him by just a few irrational and vindictive companies in Thailand. See https://www.youcaring.com/andyhall-1151843 and you can donate there.